Paul,

Tarpondriver is right on the mark. See my response under your utilities question. ( I didn't notice this topic )

As you drive NW on 290, you will notice signs for Leroy Hodde real estate. That is who sold me my place. He was very helpful to an aspiring redneck like me. In Washington Co. you are looking anywhere between 3 - 10 K/ac. for raw land.

I already built one 3/4 ac pond that will be enlarged, and I have 2 more natural sites for ponds. I thought I had three, but as I spoke with the dozer contractor this Monday, a guy that leases the neighboring property showed up and started talking to us. He works for Washington Co. road and bridge. He told us that about every 3 yrs. there is a flood that goes through that gully and at least 5 or more feet above it.
I would need a concrete dam, or one that is 100' thick (300' wide property). Even with that, my fish would get flushed out every 3 yrs. My dream 4 ac pond died that quickly, but it saved me lot of money.

Make sure your family is aware of Texas wildlife and that they are willing to put up with it. I was hoping to give my family and friends place in the country where kids can run, fish and climb trees, but after warning them of Chickers, snakes, skorpions and spiders, not many showed up.
The neighbors kids and one of my daughters run around barefoot, but they grew up around these things.

The ridges of hills around Lake Somerville (between the lake and Independence Trail) are slowly getting parcelled out. You get beautiful view of the lake.